Let’s be real: this Memorial Day weekend has not exactly delivered on its promise. We are officially at the halfway point and the scorecard is not pretty. But here is the good news, and yes there IS good news, today brings at least some improvement as we head through the afternoon. We are not out of the woods entirely, but we are heading toward the edge of them.
Rain lingers for the first part of the day, so do not put that umbrella away just yet. Temps start out cool in the lower 50s this morning, and while that is not exactly holiday weekend material, we do manage a climb toward the lower and middle 60s as drier air pushes in through the afternoon. Winds are still coming out of the ENE around 10 to 15 mph, but noticeably less breezy than yesterday’s relentless grind. Once the organized rain clears out, shower chances become more spotty and hit-or-miss rather than widespread. Think of it as the weather begrudgingly giving a little ground.
Mainland (Vineland, Hammonton, Mays Landing, Millville)
- High: Lower to middle 60s°F, with the best chances of reaching the upper end coming late afternoon
- Cloudy to start, some gradual improvement possible by mid-afternoon as drier air moves in
- ENE winds 10 to 15 mph, a step down from yesterday’s breezy conditions
- Humidity stays elevated given the cloud cover and recent rain, but not oppressive at these temps
Shore (Cape May to LBI, Atlantic City, Ocean City)
- High: Upper 50s to lower 60s°F at the beachfront, a degree or two warmer just inland
- That persistent ENE onshore flow keeps the beaches cool and damp through most of the day
- Water temperatures are still cold from the storm mixing, not tempting anyone in
- UV index stays low under heavy cloud cover, no sun protection concerns today
Overnight: We drop back into the upper 50s with generally cloudy skies. Winds go calm overnight, which is a welcome change. Any remaining spotty showers wind down. Not a bad sleeping night temperature-wise, just gray.
Memorial Day Monday: Finally, Something to Work With
Monday is not going to be a perfect 10, but after this weekend it is going to feel like it. Highs climb back into the 70s on the mainland, and the shore gets into the 60s. If we are lucky, and I mean actually lucky, we could see some patches of sun break through. A spotty shower is still possible, so it is not a guarantee of a dry day, but the overall trend is clearly better. Beach weather? Probably still not quite there for most people. Better-than-this-weekend weather? Absolutely and without question.
Looking Ahead: The Week Finally Delivers
Per the Weather Prediction Center and Climate Prediction Center, here is how the rest of the week shapes up:
| Day | Outlook | Highs |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, May 25 | Improving, patches of sun possible, spotty showers still around | 70s mainland / 60s shore |
| Tue, May 26 | Drier pattern returns, partly sunny skies | Mid to upper 70s |
| Wed, May 27 | Partly sunny, continued drying trend | Upper 70s to lower 80s |
| Thu, May 28 | Warm and drier, partly sunny | Low to mid 80s |
The CPC’s 6 to 10 day outlook is leaning toward above-normal temperatures and near- to below-normal precipitation for our region. In plain English: the damp, cold pattern that wrecked the holiday weekend gets replaced by something that actually feels like late May is supposed to feel.
Bottom line: Survive today, get a glimmer of hope on Monday, and then enjoy a genuine warmup through the rest of the week. The 70s and 80s are coming back and the drier air is not far behind them. Worth the wait, even if the timing was brutal.
Today’s Game Plan
- Morning/Midday: Keep the rain gear handy. Organized rain is still in the picture through midday, so plan any outdoor activities for the afternoon window if you can.
- Afternoon/Evening: Watch for the rain to become more spotty and scattered. If you see a dry window, take it. Temps climb to the lower and middle 60s, which is at least workable for a walk or some fresh air.
- Tonight: Upper 50s, calm winds, mostly cloudy. A fine night to rest up and get ready for a better Monday.
It has been a tough stretch, no doubt. But the turn is coming and tomorrow gives us our first real look at it. Hang tight, South Jersey.
